Anyone who has seen the movie adaptation of Marie Antoinette’s life knows that Kirsten Dunst is the star, but a certain luscious dessert could be nominated for best supporting actress. The macaroon, in all its fanciful glory, can be seen gracing every extravagant table laden with sweets. These decadent treats may be best known in their French pastel-colored Hollywood glory, but the macaroon has international cookie cousins in the Italian style made of almonds, sugar and egg whites or as chewy coconut clusters popularized in America by the Jewish community thrilled to find a sweet treat they could eat during Passover. No matter which you indulge in, you’ll sure feel like a queen.
Spread: Coconut Macaroon, Pastry Art, 1512 Main St., pastryartbakerycafe.com, 941-955-7545. Toasted Caramel, C’est La Vie, 1553 Main S., cestlaviesarasota.com, 941-906-9575. Italian Macaroon, Sorrento Sweets, 1473 Main St., sorrentosweets.com, 941-330-9049. Raspberry, L’Opera Bakery Bistro, 2336 Gulf Gate Dr., loperabakerybistro.com, 941-922-2253. Assorted Flavors Box, Le Macaron French Pastries, 382 St. Armands Cir., lemacaron-us.com, 941-312-4408. Lemon Poppyseed, Choulala Pastry, 309 John Ringling Blvd., choulala-pastries.com, 941-388-0391